Trillanes faces libel rap over tirades vs ex-VP Binay

FILE: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed before the Makati Regional Trial Court a libel case against Senator Antonio Trillanes over his malicious statements against former vice president Jejomar Binay in 2015. (Photo: Albert Calvelo/ Senate of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed before the Makati Regional Trial Court a libel case against Senator Antonio Trillanes over his malicious statements against former vice president Jejomar Binay in 2015.

The DOJ filed the libel case against the senator after finding probable cause on the criminal complaint filed by Binay.

Under said charge, Trillanes is accused of “defaming, maligning the reputation and causing the dishonor of then Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.”

“That on or about 19 August 2015, the above named accused did then and there willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and with malice in fact, publicly made the following statement without regard to truth or falsity thereof and caused the same to be published… thereby defaming, maligning the reputation and causing the dishonor of then Vice President Jejomar Binay to his damage and prejudice,” read the information filed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog and approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon.

The article said Trillanes would expose during the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee the PHP100 million racket of Binay in Makati City.

“In our blue ribbon subcommittee hearing, we will be exposing the ghost senior citizens of Makati during the incumbency of the Binays who have been claiming the benefits. The whole racket amounts to over P100 million per year,” Trillanes was quoted as saying.